Updrade ASUS P5Q-E in order to support USB 3.0

[gkazantzis]

Hello,do you know if i can make it by adding ASUS U3S6 controller?

If this contoller is not the right one can you suggest me another one?

 

[itzdanielp]

You need something like this.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815339004

 

[RetiredChief]

The ASUS U3S6 has been discontinued (it provided both usb 3 and Sata III ports).
Some additional ones: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=pcie+card+for+usb+3

 

[gkazantzis]

Sorry but both the links you sent me are not working!

 

[itzdanielp]

Search newegg.com for USB 3.0 card

 

[RetiredChief]

Just tried both of the above links and they worked????
Also can search for usb3 pcie cards.

 

[gkazantzis]

All of these cards are compatible with my motherboard?
The tranfer speed would be the same if i use any of them?
Sorry if i ask silly (?) questions but i am completly irrelevant to the subject!
Three days before i thought that the only way to support a pc usb 3.0 was to buy a new motherboard which support it.
A final question,
if you buy a total new motherboard which supports usb 3.0 (out of the box) i suppose you would have better performance (tranfer speed maybe?) than by adding a usb 3.0 pci card to a motherboarch which supports just usb 2.0. Am i right?

Thanks for your advices!

 

[itzdanielp]

No, you would not notice any difference in performance or transfer speed.

Boards with Built in USB 3.0 connect it to the NB using a PCIe lane, just routed internally instead of through a card, so in affect you are installing it the same as a built in one.

Some of the more expensive manufacturer's probably claim higher transfer rates, but that is limited by the drive anyhow, so you won't notice any difference.

 

[RetiredChief]

The only caution is to verify that you have the correct pci-e slot available. Some card work with PCI-e x1 and some with a X4. You need to look at the manual for what slots you have available. Note, you can stick a pci-e x4 card in say an x16 slot.

 

[gkazantzis]

So if i understood right i have to read at cards specification to see in which slot of motherboard it connects and then check if my motherboard has empty a slot like that.
Every usb 3.0 pci-e card is going to work fine if it is connected to the right slot, without performance differences (minor maybe?)!
Am i right?

 

[RetiredChief]

There may be some performance differencies based on the on-card controller. Recommend that you read the user reviews to pick the best one.

And yes on picking the correct slot. Most mother boards have pci-e x1 slot available. X4 slots may or may not be available, But the x4 will work in an x16 slot.

 

[gkazantzis]

How about this one?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IFC-PCIE2U3-EU-Buffalo-USB-3-0-PCI-Express-Interface-/130537027582?pt=UK_Computing_Networking_SM&hash=item1e649cf7fe#ht_1671wt_1139

The fact that this cards needs a pci Express 2.0 and not a pci express that most of them needs is actually an advantage ?

 

[itzdanielp]

Yep, that is what you are looking for